Herculean Efforts To Achieve Distinction

Herculean efforts from local businesses propelling themselves to new levels of distinction have confirmed 2009 as the biggest Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards yet.

Enterprise North Shore was yesterday overwhelmed, inspired, humbled and delighted by the quality and number of entries received - 158 - from triumphant North Shore businesses, in spite of economic adversity. The entries oozed both optimism and resilience, and will no doubt provide a tough job for this year’s judges.

“We are elated with the response” says Terry Hoskins, CEO of Enterprise North Shore, “it is a true testament to the spirit of North Shore success, endurance and resilience in the face of unsteady economic conditions” he says.

Most encouraging were the popular category choices which demonstrate an overall commitment to optimising fundamental business practices.

Businesses are focussed on differentiating through excellent service and creating optimal work environments to encourage maximum productivity from their teams. This is evidenced in the entries received for the Flo2cash Excellence in Service Delivery and Smith and Davies Employer of Choice Awards.

Also exciting is the North Shore businesses who are rating themselves as ‘emerging’ with fantastic future potential by entering the Quest Recruitment Best Emerging Business. “These companies have taken the opportunity accompanying economic challenges to drive quality and achieve astounding growth” says Ian Blair, Westpac General Manager for Business Banking.

The annual Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards – now in their 12th year – are designed to promote, encourage, support and celebrate business excellence on the North Shore. Entrants have a choice of 12 categories to enter, including excellence in innovation, excellence in not-for-profit, excellence in technology and more. These are listed below.

In addition, the new Speakfirst Committed Optimist Award will be presented to a business whose optimism shines through their Awards Entry. “With so many businesses optimistically capitalising on changing economic conditions, the job of picking just one business will be an onerous task” says Mr. Hoskins.

Finalists of the Westpac Enterprise North Shore Business Excellence Awards will be announced on 24 July, and the winners awarded at a Gala Dinner on 28 August, 2009.